South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has blasted the cuts to local councils by the SNP Scottish Government that has resulted in 48 teachers being cut from schools across the Borders.

According to latest figures published today (11 December) by the Scottish Government there are currently 1,070 teachers employed by Scottish Borders Council in local schools. This is a reduction of 48 from 2012.

As a result of the SNP Government’s Budget last year Scottish Borders Council had to find just over £11.4million in cuts. The Council expect to have to make £21million in cuts over the next four years.

Colin Smyth MSP said, “It is clear that the cuts being made to local council budgets by the SNP are having a devastating impact on vital local services like schools. The SNP said that education was their top priority but the cuts in teacher numbers as a result of Scottish Government cuts questions whether education is the SNP’s top priority.

The cuts by the SNP to Scottish Borders Council’s budget has resulted in a loss of 4% of teaching staff since 2012. If the SNP are serious about making education their top priority and ensuing all of our children and young people receive a quality education they must properly fund local councils to allow them to deliver. If they do not they risk further cuts, and adding additional pressure onto our teaching workforce at a time morale is already too low and teachers are threatening strike action because their pay has been cut in real terms”